Which food brands are genuinely ethical?

We are more aware than ever about the negative impacts our eating habits have on the planet. One of the easiest steps you can take towards eating more ethically is to shake up your shopping habits and swap to brands who prioritise sustainability. The world of sustainable eating can seem daunting though. With so much ‘greenwashing’ and clever marketing, how are we to know what brands are genuinely ethical and environmentally friendly? Here are three brands that we can safely recommend that you get behind:

Innocent Drinks

Since ’99 when they were founded, Innocent has set itself impressive goals. Their packaging is now 100% recyclable and made from 50% recycled plastic. By 2022, they hope their bottles will be made 100% from renewable packaging. They exceed international sustainability standards and even donate 10% of their profits to charity. While Innocent juices and smoothies might not be the very cheapest juice in the fridge aisle, if you are looking for a ‘not from concentrate option’ they aren’t too far off. They’re nearly always on some sort of promotion too; they are currently 2 for £4 at the moment in Sainsbury’s. As far as little changes go, this is a pretty easy swap to make. And on a hangover, there’s nothing quite like an ice-cold glug of innocent apple juice.

Tony’s Chocolonely

Tony’s chocolate serves the encouraging reminder that sustainable products by no means need to be plain and boring. The orange-coloured bar is a god amongst men in the world of salted caramel chocolate. It gives the saltiest hit money can buy, followed by crunchy caramel pieces in rich milk chocolate. It kicks anything else you have tried to the curb. Although, it’s Tony’s Chocolonely’s ethos, not flavour, that carries the biggest bragging rights. They’re aiming to make the chocolate industry 100% slave free and they invest in farming cooperatives to insure Fairtrade prices. They even use uncoated, recycled packaging from sustainably managed forests. It is expensive. Around £3 for the ‘sharing’ block. But with such a heart-warming backstory and salivating follow up on flavour, how could you resist?

Pukka Tea

If you’re an avid tea drinker, Pukka is likely be on your radar already. They have an extensive variety of flavours readily available at most supermarkets, making it an obvious choice for those who enjoy a herbal brew. Pukka’s teas are organic and compostable, and the packing now recyclable and plastic-free. The company is a certified B Corp and member of the 1% For the Planet scheme. While there are now countless tea brands out there who pride themselves on similar statistics, buying premium tea bags at £5 for 12, because of their ethical production methods is not a realistic or feasible option for most students.  Hence, Pukka is the perfect option. They might not be pioneering the game, but they certainly hit the key goals when it comes to sustainability and don’t break the bank in doing so. We recommend the ‘Mint Refresh Tea’ at £2.49 a box, for the perfect cuppa to help you wind-down for the evening.